How should we manage our forests in the face of uncertainty? What we know and what we don’t know about how trees respond to climate.

Constance (Connie) Harrington
Research Forester
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Forest managers face increasing uncertainty as to the environmental, economic and social environments in the future.  Forest rotations in the Pacific Northwest are long, however, and decisions are usually made conservatively based on past experiences.  However, climate projections are becoming increasing consistent as to their projections of increased temperatures in the future in our region. Should we continue to look backwards or use recent research and experiences to make changes in our management?  This lecture will review what we know about how tree growth is influenced by environmental conditions and which steps managers could take now to respond to recent and predicated changes in climate.